With all the frustration, anger, and confusion about the Oak Harbor School District’s decision to close Clover Valley Elementary I would like to put forth some more facts.

Yes the school district may have made some errors in the budget. There are other factors that parents should take into account. I feel the community as a whole should also take a long hard look at it as well. We are all taxpayers.

Like they always say when there’s a problem, start from the top. So let’s do that.

Gov. Gregoire had a two-year budget study for K-12 done under the title Washington Learns. This study was completed November 2006. You can find it at washingtonlearns.wa.gov/FinalReport.pdf.

It is an informative report regarding the plans Washington has for the education program and its budget. A must read if you are concerned with state school funding. There has already been an article in the paper stating that the lack of state funding has also caused several other school districts to make the hard decision to have to close a school.

You may also visit www.ofm.wa.gov/budget07/hightlights/education to read Initiative 732 for even more information regarding state funding.

I would also like to discuss the state of WASL testing. This test is given to students throughout their school years to be sure that they reach a certain level of education. They must pass the WASL test in 10th grade in order to be able to graduate from high school. This testing is geared towards a broad range of students and in my opinion does not give an accurate test score for each and every student. My child is in the top percentage in his math studies, yet on the WASL testing he missed passing the math portion by two points.

Does that seem accurate to you? Teachers know their students and would be sure that they are given help in areas they were having trouble. I am hopeful that parents also see when their child is having problems with a school subject. Let’s put school back to the way it should be. WASL testing costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year. First teachers must be trained how to give the examination. Then the state must print out all the test paperwork. The tests must be graded and a print out sent to the school and parents. In 2006 the Legislature provided $28.1 million to help struggling students pass the 10th grade examination.

Here’s an idea, perhaps the Legislature could put that money towards its education budget as a whole. Then there would be a chance there may be no need to close down any schools. Go to mothersagainstwasl for more information.

The state is not giving its education program the money needed to run the schools. Where are your tax dollars going? Be informed and learn all that you can. Let your voice be heard loud and clear. This should not be happening and should not continue. Education should be one of the top priorities in Washington state’s budget.

Colleen Herrick lives in Oak Harbor.